Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-04-12


CHAPTER xv.-CoErISuEp.
swell, by graciousl this beats all the
rides ever / tookr' said Joe, as ten
minutes later, wish Tad at his side, he
drove slowly toward Bixport, while the
detective followed close behind, with
his captive.
.'Me. tool" returned Tad, who was
holding the recovered sachel very
tightly. W
"Won't folks eyes stick out, though,
when they come to hear all about it.
tomorrow and Tad replied that he
rather guessed so, and then, opening
his heart, he told his companion the
whole story. from beginning to end, at
which recital. as the stories say, Joe's
astonishment can better be imagined
than described.
Leaving Joe explaining to the Won
dering crowd that had assembled be-
fore Potter's. their joint share in the
exciting incidents of the evening, Tad.
hugging the sachel under one arm,
while across the other was thrown the
circular cloak. hurried, with joyous
steps, back to Miss Smiths.
Bursting impetuously into the sit
ting-room, where sat the little COM
pany, to which Mr.. Mason, who had
gloomily returned from an unsuccess-
ful search for deputy sheriff, had
Joined himself, Tad tossed the long
lost sachel into the lap Of Mr.. Athor-
ton, thereby causing him to drop the
paper he had been perusing upside
down, and, with it, his dignified reserve
TO such an extent that he exclaimed;
"Gacious goodness" for which he at
once apolngized, as his trembling
fingers applied the little key to the
kop-hole, while Tad, with his politest
bow, presented astonished Mrs. Mason
with her recovered iewelry and the
fur-lined circular
s'The dress was all mud. and striddled
from top to bottom, or I'd brought
that, too, he added. as Mrs. Mason,
with an exclamation Of delight, re-
ceiyed her recovered property; while
her husband gazed at smiling Tad in a
dazed sort of way. and whistled softly
to himself, as one whose feelings were
too deep for adequate expression.
Tad, you're IA jcwelr said Miss
Smith. energetically; and very much
10 Tad's nstonishment, but TO his secret
qualification, .hc maiden lady ini-
printed sounding kiss upon his blush
ing cheek, while Captain Flagg shook
hands with him vigorously, with
muttered reference TO chainin' up a
child IN the way he'd ought to go,
SOS when he's old he won't go to
strayin' OF. Polly said nothing in
words, but rejoicing sparkled in her
eyes, and praise was apparent in her
beaming smiles. With the list in one
hand Mr.. Atherton was rapidly rum
ming over the contents of the alligator
skin sachel.
"Gold star pendant, solitaire drops,
diamond ring, bracelet and papers
um-yes, every thing seems TO be here,
he said, with look of intense salts
faction. as, dropping the list into the
mouth Of the bag, which he carefully
relocked, the dignlfed gentleman re-
garded the company with something
like aifability.
"Regarding the matter of-er-re-
ward continued Mr.. Atherton, draw
ing bulky note-case from his pocket,
and glancing benignantly at Tad, who
stood in awkward silence, while all
present looked on expectantly, II feel
pleased to be able to bestow it upon so
-a--worthy a---er--youth as the one
to whom il rightly belongs" selecting
as he spoke some crisp bank-notes from
their receptacle, and placing them on
the light stand; "and, with a gracious
inclination of his head to Miss Smith,
al may venture to prophesy that, II he
heeds the teachings of the estimable
lady whose acquaintance l have been
fortunate enough to make in this unex-
pected manner, he will eventually rise
to-er-a position of-of-it may be
Presidential honor-who knowsPn
And satisfied that he had said about
the correct thing, Mr. Atherton
gathered up his belongings, and, re-
cognizing the remainder of the inter-
ested party by comprehensive bow,
took his departure for the hotel with
great inward exultation; and as he left
early on the following morning, he
thus passes cut of MY story,